Socket assembly



May 17, 1949- M. H. ALLDREDGE 2,470,205

SOCKET ASSEMBLY Filed April 20, 1944 2 sheets-sheet 1 l5 E n j /4 /4 "a LY 20/0 J k)129,20 e y I ,le /5 /wr- \l\\\\\\\\\\\\l /Za f 4' mafsazzzamerzzdfe.

May 17, .1949 M. H. ALLDREDGE 2,470,205

SOCKET ASSEMBLY Filed April 20, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented May 17, 1949 SOCKET ASSEMBLY Marshall Homer Alldredge, Detroit, Mich., assignor to Thompson Products, Inc., a corporation of Ohio Application April 20, 1944, Serial No. 531,885

8 Claims.

This invention relates to multiple joint assemblies, and particularly to double socket tie rod joints.

According to this invention a rst tie rod end socket receives a second tie rod end socket in nested tiltable and rotatable relation. A stud has a head tiltable and rotatable in the second socket and a. shank projecting freely through apertures in both sockets, A closure member or plug is secured to the first socket to form a bottom for the assembly, and a spring-urged retainer bottomed on the closure plug acts on the stud to urge the stud into good bearing relationship with the second socket and to urge the Second socket into good bearing relationship with the first socket. The entire assembly can be covered by a rubber boot having apertures for snugly embracing the stems of the sockets and the shank of the stud.

The multiple tie rod joint assembly is useful in automotive steering mechanism with the stud shank secured in the eye end of a steering arm and the stem of the iirst and second socket members secured to separate tie rods.

While the invention is specifically described as embodied in a tie rod end or joint assembly, it should be understood that the multiple joint units of this invention are useful in other types of mechanical linkages to provide for limited universal action of three or more members.

It is, then, an object of this invention to provide a joint assembly composed of nested socket members and a stud member with all oi the members being rotatable and tiltable relative to each other.

A further object of the invention is to lprovide a multiple socket tie rod end joint.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a universal joint assembly wherein nested ed socket members are tiltable and rotatable relative to each other and form housings for a stud member which is tiltable and rotatable relative to the socket member.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a joint assembly composed of a first stemmed ring member having an interna1 Wall accommodating rotating and tilting movements, a second stemmed ring member having an outer wall tiltable and rotatable on the inner wall of the first member together with an inner wall accommodating tilting and rotating movements, and a single stud projecting through both ring members and having a headtiltable and rotatable on the inner bearing wall of the second member.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a double socket tie rod end joint assembly accommodating universal movements between a steering arm and a pair of tie rods.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a multiple tie rod joint capable of replacing a plurality of single tie rod joints.

Otherand further objects of the invention Will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed ldescriptions of the annexed sheets of drawings which, by way of preferred example only, illustrate one embodiment of the invention.

On the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevational View of a double socket tie rod joint according to this invention and illustrating a rubber sealing boot thereon in vertical cross section.

Figure 2 is a bottom plan View of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a transverse vertical cross-sectional view, with parts in elevation, taken along the line III- III of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary longitudinal crosssectional View, with parts in elevation, taken along the line IV-IV of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a transverse cross-sectional view, taken along the line V-V of Figure 1.

Figure 6 is an exploded view with parts in fragmentary vertical cross section and in elevation illustrating the elements of the joint shown in Figures 1 to 4.

Figure l is an end elevational view of the rubber boot for the joint assembly.

Figure 8 is a bottom plan View of the outer socket member of the joint.

Figure 9 is an end elevational view of the outer socket member taken along the line IX-IX of Figure 8.

Figure 10 is an end elevational View of the inner socket member.

Figure 11 is a top plan view of the closure plug or cap.

As shown on the drawings:

In Figures 1 to 4 inclusive the reference numeral l0 designates generally a double socket tie rod joint, and the reference numeral I I designates a rubber boot for protecting the joint assembly against egressl of lubricant and ingress of dirt.

The joint I 0 has an outer socket member l2 with an integral laterally extending externally threaded shank or stem |2a.. The socket I2 has an internal fragmental spherical bearing wall IZb converging from a large open bottom end I2c to a smaller top opening I2d. A recess l2e is formed in the side wall of the socket opposite the stem |24 and extends from the bottom l2c into spaced re-i lation beneath the opening I2d. This recess I2e is rounded or arched.

An inner socket I3 has an integral laterally extending externally threaded shank or stem I3a, a fragmental spherical outer annular wall I3b, a fragmental spherical inner wall I3c, an open bottom I3d, and a smaller open top I3e.

The socket I3 is nested Wi-thinthe socket I2 With the outer Wall I3b seated on the inner wall I2b in tiltable and rotatable relationship, and

with the shank I3a projecting freely through they recess IZe. A stud I4 has a fragmental spherical head Ida seated on the inner Wall I3c of thei-.nner socket I3 in tiltable and rotatable relation `together with a cylindrical stem portion Mh projecting freely through the apertures 13e and |211` of the sockets I3 and l2. A tapered eye-receiving portion l4c is provided at the upper end of the cylindrical shank Illb, and this portion terminates in a cylindrical externally threaded end yI 4d Yreceiving a nut l5 thereon to secure theeye end of a steering arm (not shown) on the tapered portion Ito of the stud. The stud has a rounded button end Ille projecting from the center ofthe. bottom of the head Illa thereof.

A spring ,retainer IE has a top Wall with a rounded depression Ilia, therein receiving the button end VIlle of the stud together With a peripheral skirt portion Iiibl depending therefrom. A spring yI'l acts on the top Wall of the Aretainer Within the confines of the skirt Ilb to urge the depressed portion Ia. against the button end .Ille oi the stud and thereby force the. stud headv Ilia intogood seating or bearing engagement with theV socket wall ISC. The` socketmember I3, in turn, isv urged into good bearing relationship Awith the socket wall |211.

A closure plug I8 has a bottom Wall I8ar and an upstanding peripheral Wall lbwith, a recess I8c in a portion thereof. This closure plug I8,v has the upper end ofthe peripheral Wall, [8h thereof seated against. the bottom end I2c. ofthe socket I2 and Welded to ther socket by means of a bond W (Figure 1). The recess I8c is aligned with and extends the recess I2e ofl theA socket..

The spring I'I is, bottomedon ,the bottom'wfall Ia of the closure plug I8. Thisclosure plugz I8 holds the joint parts in assembled relationship., but does not interfere with universal movement of the parts. f

As shown in Figure 6, the socket l2. is in the form of a ring or eye end on a stem, While the stem projects beneath the bottom of the socket. The socket I3 is similar, but it does not havefthe recess similar to I2e. l A The joint elements are readily assembled asini!` dicated in Figure v6 by inserting the socket I3. in the socket I2, and next inserting the ,stud I4' with its shank Ilib through the opening in both sockets and with its head Ita on the socket Wall I'Sc. The retainer and spring are then positioned to alct'orl the button end of the stud ille and theclosure plug I9 is secured to the socket i2 by welding or the like. The sockets I2 and I3 can Vtilt'arld' rotate relative to each other on the cooperating, walls IZb and [2lb thereof. can tilt and rotate on the socket wall I`3c. Theresulting assembly is thus equipped with three projecting members, viz., stems lia, I3a, and thestud shank mb, each of Which can Vbe universally moved through a limited extent relative to each other. f y

In order to protect the joint from dust, the-boot or seal I l can be provided thereon without inter- The stud It, in turn,`

fering with the universal movement `of the parts. This boot or seal II can be composed of rubber, leather, or any flexible material.

As best shown in Figures 6 and 7, the boot II has a top wall Ila with an upstanding central collar I Ib defining an aperture I Ic for snugly receiving the shank of the stud I4. A side Wall or skirt Hd depends from `the top wall IIa. and has lformed on diametrically opposite ends thereof laterally projecting U-shaped flanges IIe, Ile.

dThese flanges have rounded top portions and open bottoms. Opposed bottom Walls lIf, IIf are also provided on the bottom of the side wall IId, but the flanges I Iehaveno bottom Walls.

As shown in Figures l to 5, the collar I Ib of the boot snugly ts around the tapered portion Ilic of the stud shank while the top wall I la radiates outwardly from this collar. The flanges IIe, IIe fit over the stems IZa and i3d and are wrapped around the bottom of the stem as shown in Figure 2 to, overlap each other 'and cause the bottoms Hf, IIJ to overlap, thereby forming ,a closed bottom forA the boot. Clamps I9, I9 embrace'the ilanges lle, lle and are drawn tightly around the stems 12a. and ISd by meansA of clamping nutv and bolt assemblies 20.

y The boot is readily inserted on the joint by slipping the collar I Ib over the stud shank and by then positioning they clamps I9 over the anges I Ie and Wrapping these. anges around the. stem sov as to. overlap the bottom aps Hf, IIf as. shown.v The flanges IIe,` I le. and the collar Ilh have sealing engagement with ther stems l2a, i3d, and stud shank respectively while the overlapped bottom portion I IJ" are also held together to prevent ingress of dirt. The boot, being composed of kflexible material, lwill not interfere with the articulate movement of the stems and stud shank even though parts of the boot'are sealingly engaged on the stems and stud shank.

From the above `descriptions it will bev understood that the invention provides a multiple joint. assembly especiallyA adapted for automotive steering mechanisms to accommodate universal movement between a steering arm .and a plurality of tie rods... The joints of this invention include. nested socket members with projectingstems adapted to be secured tov tie rods together with a. stud member `seated in one of the sockets and projecting through both of them. The socketsr have universal movement. relative to each other and'to the stud.and the. stud has universal movement relative to both ofthe sockets.

It will, of course,`be understood that various. details of construction may be varied through a. Wide range Without departing from the principles of this invention and itis, therefore, not the purposeto limit the patent granted'hereon otherwise than necessitated by thev scope of the appended'claims.

I claimv as my'invention:

' l. A joint assembly comprising a rst socket. member having' an internal bearing wall accommodating tilting and rotating movements" t0- gether with an aperture adjacent said internal. wall, a second socket member having an external, Wall tiltable oni said internal Wall of the iirst.

' member andhaving an aperture communicating withthe aperture of the rst member,- said second Socketmember having an internal wall accjonnnodatingV tilting and rotatingfmovements, a. stud'having a. shank projecting through the. apertures O both Socketmembers, and ahead tiltable and' rotatable onqthe vinner bearing Wall of the. second socket memben,l andacIosur-e plug l*secured to the rst socketl member holding the assembly in nested relationship.

2. A tie rod joint assembly comprising a rst socket member having a stem adapted to be secured to a tie rod, a second socket member nested in the first socket member having a stem adapted to be secured to a second tie rod, and a stud universally tiltable relative to both members and having a shank projecting through both members adapted to be secured to a steering arm.

3. A universal joint assembly comprising a rst stemmed ring member having an internal bearing Wall and a side recess, a second stemmed ring member having external and internal bearing Walls with the external wall thereof tiltable on the internal Wall ofthe rst member and with the stem thereof projecting freely through the side recess of the first member, a stud having a head tiltable on the internal bearing wall of the second member and a shank projecting freely from both members, a closure plug secured to the first ring member, and a spring-urged retainer bottomed on said closure plug acting on said stud to hold the joint parts in proper bearing relation.

4. A joint assembly comprising a rst socket member having an open-ended cup-shaped eye end with an internal wall accommodating tilting and rotating movements and an oiset shank projecting therefrom, a closure plug having a skirt welded to one open end of the eye end, said plug skirt and eye end having aligned recesses dening a lateral opening into the first socket member, a second socket member having an openended cup-shaped eye end with internal and external walls accommodating tilting and rotating movements and a shank projecting therefrom, said external Wall of the second socket member seated on the internal wall of the first member with the shank of the second member projecting freely through the lateral opening, a, stud having a head seated on the internal wall of the second socket member 'and a shank projecting through open ends of both eye ends, and a springpressed retainer between the plug and stud head urging the parts into proper bearing relation.

5. A joint assembly comprising superimposed nested apertured socket members in universally tiltable and rotatable relation, said nested socket members forming a stack, and a stud having a head seated in one of said socket members at an end of the stack in tiltable and rotatable relation therein together with a shank projecting from said head freely through the apertures of all of the socket members in the stack.

6. A multiple joint having nested heads in universally tiltable relation, a shank on one head projecting axially from the nested heads, stems on the other heads projecting laterally from the nested heads, a closure boot for the joint having an apertured top wall snugly surrounding the shank and a depending skirt covering the heads with flanges on said skirt covering the stems, and clamps on said flanges holding the flanges wrapped around the stems in sealing relation and holding the skirt wrapped around the heads with the top wall of the boot spaced above the nested heads.

7. A multiple tie rod joint assembly comprising a plurality of stem members each having a ring-like end portion, said ring-like end portions being disposed in superimposed stacked relation, and a stud having a head engaging a ring-like end portion at one end of the stack together with a shank projecting freely through all of the ring-like portions, said stem members and said stud being universally tiltable and rotatable relative to each other.

8. In a tie rod joint having rods with nested heads in universally tiltable and rotatable relation, with the shank of one rod projecting axially from the nested heads, a closure boot comprising an enlarged collar in spaced relation above said joint and having an aperture for tightly receiving the shank of said one rod and flange portions on either side of said collar blended upwardly and inwardly into said enlarged collar, and opposed skirts depending from said collar and said flanges, one on each side of said joint for wrapping under said joint in overlapping, boot closing relation and clamp members disposed over said flange portions for holding the boot in closed position, said boot being preformed of flexible material to afford sealing engagement 'with the shank of the rod when said clamps are applied.

MARSHALL HOIVIER ALLDREDGE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 946,183 Williams Jan. 11, 1910 1,312,280 Sperry Aug. 5, 1919 1,434,610 Gunn Nov. '7, 1922 1,531,557 Klages Mar. 31, 1925 2,049,502 Huierd et al Aug. 4, 1936 2,246,833 Beemer June 24, 1941 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 428,918 Great Britain May 21, 1935 488,311 Germany Dec. 23, 1929 

